Telautograph



`May 13, 1924.

`G. S. TIFFAN'Y TELAUTOGRAPH @d Julv 14 lawn,

.N MSN RSNQN@ m, NWN

Patented May '13, 192.4.`

UNITED STATES PATENTv oFFlcE.

,Geenen s. msnm, or sumar, NEwJnnsEY.

TELAUTOGBAPH.

Application mea July 14, 19'20. serial 1ro. 396,290.v

.lowing specification and the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same.

This invention relates to a so-called automatic exchan e for telautograph systems.'

It is the object of the present invention vto provide such an exchange including switching mechanism manually controlled from the several stations of the telautograph system whereby the transmitter of any one of the stations may be connected with the receiver of any of the other stations. l

The exchange provided is also equipped with means whereby the operator of any station calling another which is busy at the time is notified of the fact, such notice being given without any disturbance in any of the other lines.

It is also equipped with means whereby while a station'is calling or selecting another telautographic transmission isA impossible and while it is transmitting, calling or selecting is impossible.

It is also so constructed and arran ed that on thel first movement of the manually controlling means at a calling or selecting sta.

tion the switch mechanism therefor'at the exchange -is refset or restored to normal position so that upon. the further operation of such manually controlling means such switch mechanism will be properly actuated to select the desired station.

It is also equipped with additional means, at each station, operable on the termination of telautographic communication from one station to'another, for so re-setting or restoring the switch mechanism, land means indicating to the operator that this re-setting or restoring operation has been performed.

It is lalso e uipped with means, at each station, for in icating to theoperator thereof when he has neglected to put his station into .receiving condition, that is, has for- .gotten to throw` the transmitter lswitch to receivin osition.

All o tese different means-will be de scribed in detail inv connectionv with the accompanying drawings, in which-'- Figures 1, 3 and 4 are diagrammatic views aillustrating three i telautograph and State of i 4 are alike. as fo mechanism each equipped with a manually-operated calling or selector switch, and

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view cfa central switching station equipped with three groups of step-by-step electrically-operated station-selecting switch mechanisms controlled by the manually operated selecting switches of the three stations, respectively, so that each of the stations' is capable of connection witheithenof the other two.

The three stations 1, 2, 3 of Figures 1, 3, and circuits, so that a description of stationl, for ex` ample, will suflice for all, corresponding references being applied to Figures 3 and 4 followed, for convenience of description, by the letters -a and b respectively. l

' Station 1 is provided with the usual batstations,

tery A, (the neutral of which is connectedl with ground at 4 by wires 5, 6, 7') for supplying the line or writing currents, a transmitter B, a receiver' C, and a master switch mechanism D. Transmitter B is equipped with the usual rheostats 8, 9 and' pencil-carrying arms 10, 11 having roller contacts bearing against the rheostats. Rheostats 8,

9 are connected, each'at .one end, by wires 12, 13, 14, 7 with ground at 4,-and at their opposite ends by `wires 15, 16, l?, contact plate 18 and Contact lever 19 of 'master switch D, wires 20, contact 21, armature 22. l

of a relay Eiand wire 23 with the positive of battery A. Right hand pencil arm 10 is connected, by Wires 24, 25, contact 26 and contact plate 27 of master switch D, wire 28, Winding' of a relay F and wires 29, 30, with the right hand side of the local receiver C, and (from wire 28) by wire 31 and through the selector switch mechanism of Figure 2, with the. right hand side of the receiver of the station 2 or 3, as the case may be. Left hand pencil arm 11 is .connected, by wire 32, contact plates 33, 34 of master switch D, and-wires 35, 36 with the left hand side of the local receiver C, and (from wire 35) bynwire 37, winding of a relay-G, wire 38, .stationary contact 39, contactv 40 on the lower end of a break arm 41 of insulating material later on described) and wire 42 and throu the switch mecha.- Dsm Yof Figure 2; wit the left hand side of the receiver of the station 2 or'- 3, as the casemay be. The complete ri ht and main line circuits through the switc mechanism to the t receivers will be described contacts therefore travel back and forth along the rheostats 8, 9, the strength of the currents traversing the right and left writaov ing lines therefrom to the local and distant receivers varies, with the result that the receiving pens of, these two` receivers are caused to reproduce-the movements of, and therefore the writing produced by, the transmitting pencil or tracer 43.

The means, before referred to, under the control of the operator, at station 1, ifor example, whereby the transmitter thereof may be connected with the receiver of any of v the other stations, include manually operated calling mechanism (Figure 1) designated as a whole by the referenced-I, )a group of step-by-'step electrical and mechanic'alfdevices (Figure 2) arranged' vertically one above the other, designated as a whole by the reference 100, (those for sta- -tipns 2 and 3 being designated 200, 300

' l respectively) circuits for effecting the operation of said devices, and circuits for con` trolling them and which are in turn conl trolled by the' manually operated selector mechanism H, as will now be described. i

The manually operated calling selector or switch mechanism of Figure 1 includes asuitably journalled toothed Wheel44, fixed to a suitably ,journalled bearing pin 45,\a pawl 46 for 'movingthe vwheel in a counter clockwise direction and a retaining pawl 47 preventing its retrograde or clockwise movement. Pawl 46 is pivotally mounted in an arm 48 and is spring pressed into engagement with the toothed wheel '44, as is also the pawl 47. Arm 48 is fixed .to a sleeve 49 loose on pin 45 so -that the arm may be moved by hand in a clockwise direction carrying .with itthe, awl 46 and then be moved in a counter c 'oclgwise direction by a spring 50 so that said pawl will rotate the wheelY 44 one, two or three teeth,`accordy ing to the extent of thel clockwise movement of the arm 48 with relation to the indications 1, -2,`3 above'it. The speed of rotationof vwheel 44, on the counter clockwise movement of arm 48 is gdverned by a worm gear 51 fixed to wheel 44 andfengaginga' worm 52 upona suitably supported shaft 53 carrying a fan 54 at its lower end.

- ti'onally clam The'break arm 41 before referred to is fric-- d to sleeye 49 so as to move `therewith an with arm 48. It carries atjts lower end the contact beforel referred t0,

which is adapted to alternately engage the? Contact 39 and another contact 55. The pawl 47 also has a tail piece 56' which, each time the pawl is tripped on `the counterclockwise movement of wheel 44. engages a vcontact 57. The counter-clockwise movement of iirm 48 and wheel 44 under the pull of spring is limited by a stop 58.

It will be understood ^from the foregoingI that as arm 49 is moved by hand in a clockwise direction from the position1 shown in Figure 1,.arm 4l, moving therewith, will be moved out of engagement with contact 39 and into engagement with contact 55, and that when ^the arm 49 is released it will be lnoved by spring 50 in a counter-clockwise direction, the wheel 44 being then rotated bythe awl 46 in the same direction.

Asl the wheel 1s thus 4rotated its teeth will tripthe pawl 47 and cause the contact tail piece 56 thereof to engage contact 57 each time the pawl is so tripped; the pawl 46, engaging the stop 58, bemg arrested .thereby at the end of lts counter-clockwise movement. Arm 41, rocked by the arm 49, will disengage its contact 40 from contact 55 and engage it with contact 39, as shown in Figure 1.

Through these movements of arm 41 and i of Othe wheel 44 the operation of grou igure 2 is selector switch mechanism of effected to connect the transmitter of station 1 with the receiver of station 2 `or 3, according` as the arm 41 is moved to ror f3 on the indicator above it, as will now be described.

The electrically operated switch mechanism 100 for station 1 comprises a ratchet wheel 101 having fixed to it an aim 102 of insulating material provided with a contact sector 103 adapted to engagea sprin con-4 tact 104 when the-arm 102 is moved y vthe clockwise rotation of ratchet wheel 101 from the position in whichit is shown. A spring 105 tends to move the arm 102 anlratchet loo wheel1101 in the opposite direction or to norf mal position, Arm 102 is provided with contacts 106, 107, 108 connected respectivelyby wires 109, 110, 111 with. stationary'contacts 112, 113, 114, to which latter are connecte`d wires 115, 116, 117 res ectively con`- stituting parts of circuits which will later on be described in detail. Contacts 1,06, 1x07, 108 of the arm 102, when the latter is moved clockwise on the rotation of ratchet contacts 112,113, 114, a second 'set of contacts 118, 119,'.120, for` a' third set of vcontacts.121, f122, 123, according 'to the extent offrotation of said wheel, which, in turn, is dependentjupon the extent of movement of the manually"operated arm 48 (Figure 1 l as will later on appear. Contact 108 and, contact' sector 103 on arm 102 are connected by vire 1.24, 91: a pul'PQS Whvhfwill be noy 120 wheel 101, areadapted to engage the set of stated later on. liatchet wheel 101 is rotated by means lof a pawl` 125 pivotally mounted onthe armature 126 of a magnet 127 and held inyielding'engageme'nt with the teeth ot wheel 101 by a spring 128.

ln the case of the group 100 ot switch mechanism the wires 109, 110, 111 connect the contacts 106, 107, 108 on arm 102 otthat group with the first series of contacts 112, 113, 114 leading into that group from Astation 1f in the caseof the group 200 thev wires 209.v 210, 211 connect the contacts 206, 207, 203I on arm 202 of that group with the second seri'esf contacts 218. 219, 2,20 leading into that groiip from' station 2. vand inv the case ot the group 300 the wires 309, 310,-311 connect the contacts 306, 307, 308

i on arm 302 ofi-that group with the third seriesof contacts 318, 319, 320 leading/ into that group tromstation 3. Otherwise the circuits are the same in .all three groups.

' From the detailed description thus tar given with particular reference to group 100 it will'be apparent that on each energization of magnet 127. wheel 101 will be moved one step or tooth. its first movement.

bringing the contacts 106, 107, 108 of arm 67 into engagement with contacts 112, 113, 114. its second movement bringing said contacts intoengagement with contacts 118, 119, 120, and its third movement bringing said contacts into engagement with confacts 121. 122. 123. The Wheel 101 is held in the position to which the driving pawl 125 rotates it by a spring-pressed retaining pawl 129 which. engages the teeth of wheel 101.

Pawls 125,129 are provided with laterally projecting pins 130. 131 adapted to be engaged by'a `lever 132 and to be disengaged thereby from the teeth of wheel 101.

-This T-lever 132 is pivotally connected with the armature 133 of a. magnet 134, so that when said magnet is energized the T-lever` is moved downwardly and, engaging the pins 130, 131, withdraws the pawls 125, 129 trom engagement with the wheel 101. Spring 105 is thentree to movethe wheel 101 and arm 102 in a counter-clockwise position of arm 102-'the sector contact 103 thereof is disengaged from the contact plate 104.

.v The energization and deenergization lof magnet 127, to'efi'ect the movement of the driving pawl 125, and the energization and deenergi'zation of magnet 134. to effect the downwardmovement ofthe T-arm 132, are

accomplished through circuits and electrical devices included therein which will now be described.

It should b e noted here that'm''gnet 134 (and this is true of magnets 234. 334) is of l a slow acting type. its windings being short circnited. Vas shown at so that it is energizedgonly when arm 102 comes to rest over a set of contacts and is not energized while 70 said arm is passing over contacts.

Assuming that the operator at station l1 desires to connect the transmitter-thereof with the receiver of station 3. he will first move the arm 48 (Figure 1) lfrom the posi- 'l5 tion in which it is shown to position 3 on l th indicator/above it. As arm 48, and with itjihe wheel 44, is so moved, break arm 41 will be moved to the lett and its Contact 40 engaged with contact thus closing! the 80 following circuits: negative pole of'battery A, wires 59, 60, armature 61 ot relay Gr, lower contact 62 thereof. wires 63. 64. winding of relay E, wires 65, 66, contact 55, contact 40;' lett main line '.wire 42 (Figure 1) 85 lett main line wire 135. winding of a polarized relay 136, wires 137, 138. 139, 140 .to earth at 141 and thence trom earth at 4 by wires 7. 6, 5y to the neutral ot battery A. Relay 136. thus energized. will movexits armature 142 in a counter-clockwise direction into engagement with a contact 143, thus g closing the following circuit from the negative pole of a local battery. 144 (Figure 2) wires 145, 139, 146, l147. 148. 149, wind- 95A ing of magnet 134, wires 150,151, armature 142, contact 143 and wires 152. 153 to the positive pole of battery 144. The circuit thus ,closed will energize magnet 134, which will then attractits armature 133, thereby moving the T-arm 132 downwardly so that it will, by engagement with the pins 130,

131 thereof, disengage the pawls 125, 129 from the Aratchet wheel 101, the spring 105. thereof then moving the ratchet wheel 101 and its arm'102 in a counterclockwise direction to the position in which) they .are shownv in Figure 2, if

at the time they are in an advanced position. Means are provided, which will presently be described, for clearing the switch v. mechanism of Figure 2 when one station finishes telautographic .communication with another, such means being controlled by a switch mechanism at the sending station which is operated lby the transmitting tracer. t y

The operator at station 1 will then release arm 48 which, with wheel 44, will then be moved in a counter-clockwise direction by'1g'0 spring 50, the retaining pawl 47 rising and falling -with' the` teeth whichpass it and as so moved making'and breaking engagement between its tail p-iece 56 and contact 57 for ya purpose which will .presently appear. As

the arm .48 starts on this counter clockwise or retrograde ,movement the break arm 41 will be swung to the right thus disenga 'ng Y itscontact 40 from contactv55. andlbrea 'ng the'circuit just described through relay 136 u,

2 thus move 45 l poarl ttery Ati 5 the negative of battery 144 through magnet 134, which will then release its armature, 133, permitting the spring 154 thereof to raise it and' in doing so move the T-alm 132 upwardly out of engagement with', the

, 1 pins 130` 131 of pawls 125,129 which will then be moved by their springs into engagement with the teeth ofxratchet wheel 101.

-As the pawl 47 rides over the teeth of wheel 44 passing over it, its tail piece'56 will make and break engagement with contact 57 on the passage of each tooth of the wheel. As, ,on ther retrograde movement of wheel'44 and arm 48 from osition 3 on the indicator above them, t ree teeth will pawl 47 its tail piece 56 will make and reak such Aenga ement three 4times and make. and break t e following circuit a like number of times: negative ofv battery A, wires 59, 60, armature 61 of relay u G, contact 62, wires 63, 64 winding of relay E, wires .65, 67, contact 5 tail plece 56 of pawl 47, wires 68, 29, winding of relay F, right main line wire 31 (Figure 41), wires 155, 156, winding offa polarized relay 157 (3 and wires 158, 159, 146, 139, 140 to earth atV ound at 4 andwires,

wires 28, 31, (Flgure 1) wires 155, 169, con- 141 and thence by 7, 6, 5to the neutra ofbattery 4. s.

The current passing throughrelay. 157 over this circuit will cause said relay to rock itsfarmature 160'in a counter-clockwise direction so as to disengage an upper contact piece 161 carried there y from an upper contact 162, engage contact 161 with an fup-- per-'contact 1634and disengage a lower contact 164 carried by armature 160 from a lower contact 165, said contacts 161, 164 being suitably insulated from armature 160. Armature 160 will remain in this position until, as later on described, current of oppositetraverses relay 157, when armature 160`willi'eturn to the position in which it is shown. Armature 160, whenits contact enga esucontact 163, closes the following ciri 5 cult around the winding of relay 157 and of the magnet 127 including the windin which operates the" riving awl 125 of rratchet vwheel 101: contacts 1 1, 163, wire 166, lWinding of magnet 127, wires 167, 168,

' u 147, 159, 15,8. Each impulse traversing this circuit 4froml the negative of batteryA, will energize magnet 127 which, attracting its armature 126, will cause the drivin pawl 125 to rotate wheel 101 one tooth an as, in

wfthe described operation of wheel 44, three Ateeth -pass the pawl 47, the circuit through.

relay/157'and through magnet V134-will be closed and opened three times, with the result that wheel 101 will be rotated three Q or steps and the arm 102 carried (namely, from the positive of bat- 1,494,5es d thereby inoved'from the position in which it is shown in Figure 2, to an advanced positlon, with its contacts 106, 107, 108, over contacts 121, 122, 123, in which position it is transmitter of the former and, through it, of the right and left main line circuits from said transmitter 4to said receiver.

When contact lever 19 of the' Amaste 80 switch D is depressed to so connect "the,

transmitter and the receiver the writing currentsI traversing the main line circuits from the former to the latter are from the positive of battery such current traversing the left main line is A. The first eEect of to'restore armature 1,60 to the position vin which it is shown in-Fi re 2. The main line circuits therein esta lished are as follows: .v

Right line writing'circuitf-positive pole of battery A, wire 23, armature 22 ofI relay E, contact 21, wire 20, master switch contact lever 19, contact 18, wires u17, 15, rheostat 8, pencil arm 10, wires 24, 25, contact 26, contact plate 27 of the master switch,

tacts 161,162 of relay 157, wires170, 115,

lon arm'102, stationarycontact 121, wires 171, i172, contacts 362, 361 of relay 357, wires 369, 355 (Fi re 2), wire 31, windingof relayl F", andgivires 29", 30. through the receiver C o f station 3 to ground at 69b (Figure 3). The ri ht side of local receiver C klot of station 1 is a soconnected with the right main line from wire 28 through winding of relay F and wires`29, 30.

Left line writing c1rc"uit,-positive of battery A, wire 23, armature 22 of relay E, contact 21, wire 20, contact plate 19, contact plate 18, Vwires 17, 16, rheostat9, pen arm 11, wire 32, contact lates 33, 34, wires 35, 37, winding of relay p 39, contact 4Q of break arm 41, wire 42 (Figure 1), wires 135, '173, lower contacts 164,'

,165 of relay 157, wires 174, 116, contact 113, wire 110, contact 107 on arm 102, contact 122, wires 175, 176,'lower contacts 365,*364 of relay 357,'wires 373, 335 (Figure 2), .wire 42?, contact 401 of arm 41", contact 39", wire wire 38, contact 38", winding of relay G and`wires 37", 36b

to the left? sideof receiver/C" (Figure 3), and to groundat 69". The left side of the local receiver of station 1 is -`alsoconn'ected with the transmitter of that station on the closing of master switch D, -by wire 36 from WI'B 35. e. With the two main line circuits closed as described between' the transmitter of stala'o tion 1 and receiver of station 3 telautographic communication from the former to the latter may be carried on in the usual way. V

If the operator at station 1 after inishinlg with station 3 and opening master switch to disconnect the two, should desire to connect his transmitter with the receiver of station 2, he will first open master switch D andX then hang-up the tracer 43 in a clip 70. This clears the line from station 1 to station 3 through. switch group 100, 300, by the following means: Clip 70 is mounted -on a spring contact plate 71 which, when tracer 43 is inserted in the clip, engages momentarily a contact 72 thus closing thev following circuit over the left line: ne ative of battery A, wires 59, 73, contact 2, contact plate 1, wire 74, contact 75, armature 76 of rela F, wires 77, 42 (Fi re 1) wire 135, win ing of relay d136,- an wires 137, 138, 139, 140 to ground at 141 (Fi re 2) and thence by ground at 4 and wires 6,

f 5 to the neutral of battery A- (Figure 1).

Relay 136 thus energized,- attracts its arma-V ture `142 and closes the circuit heretofore described from the negative of local battery through magnet 134, namely, Wires 145, 139, 146, 1 47, 149, magnet 134, wires 150, 151, armature 142, contact 143 and wires 152, 153 to the positive of battery 144. Relay 134 A.will -thus through its armature 133 pull T- arm 132 downwardly and release pawls 125, 129 from wheel 101, which, with its arm 102, will then be re-set to zero or normaP position by vits spring 105. Relay F is, as before stated,- in the right main line, so that when no current is on this line, its armature 76 rests against contact 75 but when current is on the right'line, either in switching or ,writarmature 76 is disengaged from contact In the former position of armature 76 clip 70 may be operated to clear the switch mechanism of Figure 2.- In the' latter .po-

sition, it cannot be, because the line from the described controlled by relay F is to render y ;48"in a clV in the inicator above 1t. Thls will resultB clip and contact 72 ino rative for vthe purpose of closing it and t us clearlng the line while the operator at station 1 is selecting another station. During such selection the current traversing the right maln` hne from the ne ative of battery A will cause relay F to/ isengage its armature 76` from contact 77 so thatevenif .the tracer 43 be engaged with vclip'70 and move contact,7 into engagement-with contact 72 the circuit I will not be closed. v60

After-'clearing the line (whichjs or should be done aftereach writing operation) the operator at station 1, deslrin to connect withtfhe-receiver ofgstation 2, will move arm ckwisedirection Yto the 2 point in the closing of the circuit before described from the negative of batte A through polarized relay 136, because oliythe engagement of contact 40 on arm 41 with 'tact 55. Relay136 then attracting its arma# ture 142 closes the circuit before described from the negative of local batte 144 through magnet 134. Armature 133 lthereof will rthen ull T-arm 132 down andv laid arm engaging the pins 130, `131 thereof, will withdraw the driving and retaining Apawls 125, 129 from f engagement with ratchet wheel 101. Spring 105 will then move wheel 101 and its arm 102 in a counter clockwise irection to normal position, namely, that in which they are shown in Figure 2 1f the switch mechanism has not been previousl cleared bydepression of spring contact 7 stationary con- The group of switch mechanism of station 1l is thereby reset for operation. The operator at station 1 then releases arm 48 Vand the spring 50 m'oves it andwheel 44 in a counter clockwise direction. nOn this movement of wheel 44,' pawl 47 is actuated' twice and thereby closes, at contacts 56, 57, (Figure l) the circuit before 'tive of battery A through olarized reay 157 and sends two impulses through ma et 127 over the circuit before describe as bridged around relay 157, namely, contacts 161, 163, wire 166, winding of magnet 127, `and wires 167, 168, 147, 159, 158. Magnet 127 will then twice actuate pawl 125 and thereby rotate ratchet wheel 101 a distance equal to two teeth, with the contacts 106, Y107, 108 on arm 102, over stationary contacts v118, (119, 120, wheel 101 and its arm 102 being retained in this position by their retaining pawl 129. In this positionof arm 101 the following will be the right and left 'main line writing circuits 'to the receiver of station 2; it being understood that armature 160 of relay 157 ais in the position shown because of the current then traversing the left main line.

Right line writing circuit: positive pole of battery A, wire 23, armature 22 of relay E, contact 21, wire 20, contact lever 19, con tact 18, wires 17, 15, rheostat 8, pencil arm 4 `10, wires 24, 25, contact 26, contact plate 27,

escribed from the ne contacts 162, `161 of relay 157,wires 170,`

115,- contact 112, wire 109, contact 106 on Varm 102, contact 118, wires177, 178, -con-S tacts 262, 261 of relay. 257, wires 269,255*

(Figure 2), wire 3 1, F and wires' 2930 station 2, and Iground Left line writing` circuiti positive tof battery r1, 'wire'r 23, armature4 22- of relay E, contact21, wire 20, contact/plate 19, contact plate 18, wires A17, 16, Mrheostat 9, pencil arm winding of relay to the receiver C' of at GSP-(Figure 3).

11, wire 32, contact plates 33, 34, wires 35,

37, winding of relay` G, wire 38, contact 40 'of break-arm 41, wire contaot,

.l 1) wires 135, 173, lower contacts 164, 165 of relay 157, wires 174, 116, contact 113, wire 110, contact I107 on arm 102, stationary con.- tact 119, wires 179, 180, contacts 265, 264

vof relay-257, wires 273, 235, (Figure 2),

the receiver of station 2 the operator atJ the former station will operate the master switch D sol as toJ disconnect from the receiver of station 2. He will also, in order to clear the line, then hang up the tracer 43 in clip 70, thus re-setting the switch mechanism 100, as before described.

The transmitter of station 2 (Figure 3) may-be'connected with the receiver of staf tion 1 by moving the arm v48 of station 2 to the numeral 1 on' the indicator above it. This movement of the arm will cause the contact 40 yon the arm 41 to engage the stationary contact thereby closing the following circuit: negative of battery A, wires 59, 60. armature 61 of relay G, contact'62, wires 63, 64, winding of relay E, wires 66, contacts 55, 40, wire 42'(Figure 3) wire 235, winding of polar' ized relay 236, wires 237,238, 138, 139, 140 to ground at 141 (Figure 2) and thence by ground at 4 andwires 7, 6, 5 to the neu# tral of battery A (Figure 3). The'current traversing this circuit will energize relay 236 so as to move its armature 242 into `enga ementvwith contact 243, thus closing the ollowing circuit from local battery 144 (F' re 2) wire 145 ,from the negative of sai battery, wires 139, 146, 147, 148` 248. 249, winding of magnet 234. wires 250, 251, armature 242, contact 243, wires 252, 253` 181, 153 to the positive of battery 144. The resulting energization of magnet 234 will cause it to attract its armature 233 which in turn will draw the T-arm 232 downwardly so that it will, by engagement with the pins 230, 231 thereof, disengage the drivingfand retaining pawlsv 225, 229 from the ratchet wheel 201, so that the spring 205 thereof will move the ratchet wheel 201 and its arm 202 in a counter-clockwise direction to normal position, if at the time of the energizetion of relay 236 they are in a`n advanced The operator' at`station 2 (Figure'3) then releasing arm 48, contact 40 of arrn 41 will be disengaged vfrom contact 55,`1thus breaking the circuit just described, so that the amature 233 and T-arm 232 will be moved upwardly by the spring 254 of said armature. When the arm 48, thus released.

is moved by its spring 50 to.retracted tionone tooth of wheel 44 will actuate pawl 47 so that the tail 56thereofwill engage wires 59, 60, armature 61 of relay G,

contact 62, wires 63, 64, winding of relay E, wires 65, 67, contact 57, tail piece 56 of pawl 47, wires 68, 29, winding of relay F", wire 31 (Figure 3), wires 255,256, winding of relay 257, wires 258, 259, 182, 159, 146, 139, 140 to earth vat 141 (Figure 2) and thence by ground at 4 and ivires 73.6, 5,'to the neutral of battery A (Figwill energize relay 257 which will move its armature 260 in a'counter-clockwise direction so that it will engage contacts 261, 263, thus closing the following circuit around the ure 3). The current traversing this circuit winding ofl relayy 257 contacts 261, 263, wire 266, winding of magnet 227; Wires 267,

283, 168, 147. 159, 182, Q59, 258. Current traversing this circuit will energize magnet `227'so that the driving pawl 225 will actuate thel wheel 201 one tooth, thus bringing arm 202 thereof into line with the rst group of stationary contacts 212, 213, 214 of group 200 (Figure 2). With the arm/202 in this position the following vwill arbe the main line or Writing circuits from the transmitter of station 2 to the receiver of/station 1 when the operator at the former closes the master switch D, the first efect oi this, as before stated, being to send an impulse of positive polarity frombattery A through relay 257 the armature 260 of which will then be moved clockwise.

Right line writing ,ciii-cuit; of battery A, wire lay E, contact wire 21, wire 20, master switch plate 19, contact plate 18, wires 17, 15, rheostat 8, pen arm 10, wires 24, 25,- contact 26, contactplate 27, wires 28, 31 (Figure 3), wires 255, 269, conta ts 261, 262

of relay 257, wires 178, 278, 2t contact positive ole 218, Wire 209, Contact 206 on larm 202, con l tact 212,'wires 215, 270. 170, contacts 162,

161 of rela'y157, wires 169, 155 (Figure 2), wire 31, wlnding'of relay F and wires 29 ..30 tothe right hand side'of the receiver d of Figure 1 and to ground at 69.

. Left line writing circuit; posit'e pole of battery A, wire 23, armature 22 of relayy E, contact 21, wire'20, master switch plate 19, contact plate 18, wires 17, 16, rheostat 9, pen arm 11, wire 32, contact plates 33, 34, wires 35". 37, windingr of rela G, wire 38, contact 39, contact 40 of brea arm 41,V Wire 42 (Figure 3), ywires 235.

ionV 23, armature 22b re- 273, contacts 264,265 of relay 257, wiresl 180', 280, 279, contact 219,l wire 210, contact L207 on arm202, contact 213. wires 216, 274, 174, lower contacts 165, 164 ofrelay 157, wires 173, 135 (Figure 2 4wire 42, co'ntacts 40, 39, wire 38, win ing of relay G, wires 37. 36 to the left hand side of the re-y ceiver C of station 1, and to ground at 69. Ifthe operator at station 3 should desire '5 55", through relay 3 .238, 188, 139, 140 to ground at 141V (FigureV ture 342 thereof in wires 145, 139, 146, 14

pull A'T-armv 332 downwardly two actuations of pawl 47" 161." of relay net 327 will be bridged f of relay, 357 by tle following circuit :econ- .j ersing the circuit thus to connect with station 2 (that station not being busy at the time) he will move arm 48" to 2 onthe indicator above it thereby closing the followin circuit at contacts 40", 6 (Figure 2) negative of batter A", wires 59", 60", armature 61" of relay contact 62", wires 63", 64", winding of relay E", wires 65", 40 wire 42" (Figure. 4), wire 335, winding polarized relay 336, and wires 337, 338,

2) and, thence by ground at 4" and wires 7", 6", 5" to the neutral of battery A". The resulting energization of relay 336 .moves armarection ,into engagement with contact 343, therebyy closing the following circuit through relay 334 from local battery 144 (Figure 3) negative 148, 248, 348, 349, .winding of relay 334, -wires 350, 351, armature 342, contact 343 and wires 352, 353, 281,

I .253, 181, 153 to positiveof battery 144. 'Belay 334' will then, through its armature 333, v and, through its engagement with the pins 330, 331 'of pawls 325, 329disengage said pawls from wheel 301 so that the spring 305 may return said wheel and 1its arm 302 to normal posiion if at ,the time they are in anI advanced position. i Arm 48" at station 3 (Figure 4) being then released by the operator it will'be retracted or moved in a counter-clockwise direction and its -pawl 46" will move ratchet wheel 49" Nin the same direction; break arm 41" also moving away from contact 55" and engaging its contact 40"l with stationary contact 39". This movement of wheelL 49" will result in and through. the contact`36" thereof the closing (twice) of the following circuitnand the sending of two impulses over it'through relay 357: tive of batte A", wires59", 60", armature contact 62",' wires 63", 64", winding'of rela E", wires 65", 67", contact 57", tail piece 6",of awl 47", wires .68", 29", wndmg ofrelay ",'wire 31" (Figure 4),"wires 355, 356, winding of relay 357,

50 wires 388, 3,549, 282, 259 182, 159,148,189,14o

to ground at 141 (Figure 2) and thence by ground at 4" and wires 7", 6", 5" to the neutral of battery A".- On the first of the two.

impulses traversing this circuit, relay 357 1 *55 will move its armature 360in'a counterclockwise directionso that the upper contact 361 carribd thereby will engage thsupper stationary Contact 363. On suchengagement of said contacts the winding of magaround the winding tacts 361, 363, wire .366, winding of magnet j y827, wil-e386?, 888, 268, 188,147,159, 182,

` 259, 282, 359, 358. The'two impulses travclosed by armature 66", contacts 55",-

`a counter-clockwise dile of said battery,

nega- 360 will cause magnet 327 to twice attract its armature 326 and through it and pawl 325 rotate wheel 301 two teeth, thus moving the arm 302 intoline' with of contacts 318,319, 320.

Master switch D" (Figure 4) bein then closed by the operator at station 3, t e following main line or writing circuit will be closed from the transmitter of station 3 to thereceiver of station 2; armature 360 of relay 357 being moved clockwise by thecurrent Apressing through relay 357 from'battelg ' ight line, positive of battery A", wire. 23", armature 22" of relay E", contact 21",' wire 20", masterfs'witch plate I19", contact plate 18",

arm 10", wires 24", 25", contact'26", contact the second group wires 17", 15", rheostatv 8.", pencil plate 27", wires 28", 31" (Figure 4), wires y 355, 369, upper contacts 36.1, 362 of relay 357, wires 172, 272, 372, 371, stationary contact 321,v wire 309, contact 306 on arm 302, contact 318, wires 377, 378, 278, 178, upper contacts 262, 261 of'elay 257, wires 269, 255 ,(Figure 2), wire 31"-, winding of relay F* and wires 29", 30n receiver Ca Left line, positive of battery A", wire 23", armature 22" of relay E", Contact 21", wire 20", master switch late 19", contact plate 18", wires 17", 16", l wire 32", contact plates 33",*34", Wires-35", 37", windingpf relay G", wire 38", contact 39"contact'40" of ar1n`41", wire 42" (Figure 4), wires 335, 373, lower contacts 364, 365 of relay 357, wires 176, 276,376, 375, stationary contact 322, wire 310, Contact 307 on arm 302, stationary contact 319, Wires 7879 88o, 280, relay 257, wires 273,l 235 (Figure 2),' wire 42", Contact 40" of arm 41", contact 39", winding vof relayl G", wires hand side of the receiver C"L 'of station 2 (Figure'3) and to ground at 69".

e connection of fstation 2 with station 3 and of station 3 with station 1, is not described in detail here. This will be readily 37", 36"m to the leftl 180, lower contacts- 265, 264 of understood from the descriptiony o f the l method of connecting the other stations withv each-other, the operation bein the same except for slight differences, (glfigure 2) .in the circuit-sused for different stations.

It is necessar while two stations are connected for writlng from one to. the other, or in other words busy, first, that no other lstation shouldbe permitted to break in, and, second, thatthe operator attempting to connect with a busy station should know why he fails to connect withit Means are provided for these .purposes Vand will now be described. For the purpose of such descrip- 4tion it will be assumed, or convenience, .that the transmitter of station 1 is connected or busy with the `receiver of station 2, al-

g though it will be understood that what takes 109 place, on an attempt vto break in, will' also 'take place in the case of any other two connected stations.

If, while stations 1 and 2 are so connected, the operator .at station 3 for example, should attempt to connect with station 2, .he

-will move the arm 48" in a clockwise direction to 2 on thev indicator above it and then releasethe same so that its spring 50" will move it ratchet wheel rection. The effect of suc-h clockwise movement is to close kthe circuit before described (controlled by contacts 40", 55") from the,

negative of battery A" through relay 336 and the local circuit before described (controlled by armature 342 and contact 343) from battery 144 through magnet 334, with the result that T-arm ,332 will be pulled. down by the armature 333 thereof, the pawls 329 will be disengaged from ratchet wheel 301, and the latter and its arm 302 returned to normal position if at the time they are in an advanced position. The effect before described (controlled byfsaid contacts 56", 57") through relay 357 and through the circuit before described (controlled by'armature 360),bridged around the winding of said relay and including magnet 327, with the result that pawl 325 will turn ratchet wheel 301 and its arm 302 a distance equal .to two teeth of the former.4 The arm 302 Willtherefore take u a position in line with lthe secondv series o contacts 318, 319, 320v be retained in that position Vby pawl 329 engaging wheel 301.`

in group 300, and will n this position of arm 302, however, under these conditions, the following circuit 1s established through relay 336, causing magnet 334 to again attract' its armature 333 and pull .T-arir 332 down, thus withdrawing pawls 325, 329 from engagement with ratchet wh 1301 so that the latter cannot be -operated by, magnet 327: positive of battery 144, wires 153, 181', 23, 281, 353, 381, 372, contact 37 3, middle swinger contact 385 carried by armature 360 of relay 357 (said armature having been moved counter-,clock-A A wisefrom the position -shown'in Figure 2) 386, 387, winding of a relay 388, wire 389, spring contact 304, sector contact 303,

wire 324 and contact 308,0n-ar'm 302, stationary contact 320, wires, 392,- 292, 279, contactx220, wireA 211, contact 208, wire 224 and sector contact 203 on arm 202, spring Contact 204, wire 269, winding of relay A288,

and throughits pawl 46" the' 44", in a counter-'clockwise diwires 287, 286, middle contact swinger 285 of armature 260 of relay 257, contact 284, Wires 283, 282, 259182, 159, 146, 139, 145 to the negative of battery 144. The closing of this circuit and conseqliient energization of relays 388, 288 causes t e armatures 392, 292 thereof to engage contacts 393, 293 respectively, suoli engagement between armature 392and contact 393 closing the following circuit throiigh relay 344: positivey of battery 144, wires -153, 181,A 253, 281, 353, 3 81, 372, contact 373, swinger contact 385 carried by arma 1re 360 of relay 357. wires 386,394, contact 393,armature 392 of relay 388, wires 395, 350, winding of magnet 334, wires 349, 348,'248, 148, 147, 146, 139, ,145 to the ne ative 'of battery 144. Magnet 234 is not a ected through tlieengagement of armature and contacts 292, 293 of relay 288, by the current traversin described for the reason t at its connection with the positive of battery 144 is-broken at the contacts 273, 285 of relay 257 which, unlike contacts 373, 385, of relay 357, are out of engagement, Thelatter contacts'are in engagement because relay 357 has been lthe circuit just operated by current 4from the ne ative of s battery A" of station 3, so that its arma-v The eiect of the through the winding of relay 334 is to cause it to attract its armature 333 which, in turn,

. closing of this circuit will again pull down T-lever 332, with the L result' that pawls 325, 329y are disengaged from ratchet wheel 301 and the latter, with its arm 302, is returned to normal osition, so that the main or writing lines om the transmitter of station 3 to the. receiver of station 2 are open at the selector switch mechanism.

The operator at station 3, however, does not know this and, therefore, assuming that the connection is made A:from station 3 to station 2, he will close his master switch D" but on doin this he will be a prised through the ollowing means that t e connection is not made: v

Each of stations 1, 2, 3 is equipped with,

a buzzer magnet I, I, I", respectively, in-

cluded in a circuit from the negativel of the selecting circuits before described from the negative of said batteries.

exce t when wiitingscurrent ,traverses `the Therefore,

.ilo

lll

left ine, their armatures 61,61%61" vvill'ocvcupy the positions in which-they'are shown,

resting" u n their lower contacts namely,

62"., In this lposition of these armatures and the raised position show/ii/othe master switch contact arms 19, 19, 19", ciri gized. 'lhey mayy be closed by depressing arm 19" of master switch D".'

the arms 19, 19", 19". When writing currenttraverses the left main line relays G, G, G", their armatures are disengaged from lower contacts (S2, 62, 62" so that these fcircuits will be opened there and cannot be closed by depression of contact arms 19, 19", 19".

Now, assuming, as before, that station y1 net J is included in a circuit as follows, conis connected witlrstation 2, and that the operator at station 3l tried to connect with station 2. He does not succeed in doing so because' the main line circuit is open at the selector switch mechanism, as just described,`

but, not knowing this, he depresses contact He is then apprised of the fact because the armature 61" of relay G" rests against lower contact 62", so that the depression of arm 19" closes the following circuit through buzzer magnet l" and causes it to buzz: negative of battery A", wires 59"60", armature 61", lower contact 62" of relay G", wires 63", 7 8", Winding of buzzer ma net I" armature 79" thereof contact 80", wire 81", contact 82", contact plate 19", wires 20",.21", armature 22" of relay E" and wire 23" to the positive of battery A". The resulting buzzing of the armature 79" of magnet I" will indicate to the operator at station 3 that his station is not connected with station 2. vIf it were the buzzer would not ring because the circuit including it would be open at 61", 62" because of the energization of relay G" by the writing current `traversing the left line.

This description, though directed specifically to station 3 is equally applicable to each of the other stations should an attempt be made by the operator thereof to connect it with a busy station.

'Each of the relays G, G", G" also performs the additional function ofpreventing the operation of the selecting mechanism of its own station while it is connected with another station for writing. It does so because, as just stated, while writing current is traversing theleft line between the two stations the armatures 61, 61", 61", as the case may be, of the two relays are withdrawn freni engagement with lower'contacts 62, 62", 62", as the case may be, so'that the selecting circuits-over the left and right lines from the negative of battery A, A", A", as the case may be, are opened at these points.` For example, if `station 1 be con- `nected for writing with station 2 the select-l `ing circuits'from one to the other cannot be established by clockwise and'counter-clockwise movements of arm 48 or arm 48" for the reason'that relays G, G" are energlzedand withdraw their armatures 70, ",61, 61u from contacts 62, 62", thus opening the selecting 4circuit from` the negativeof batteries A,A" which would otherwise be established by such movements of said arms.

Additional means, controlled by relays G, G", G", are provided for preventing such selectionoperation while two stations are connected for writing. These means are the same in all stations and will therefore be described in connection with station l (Figure 1). Theycconsist of a lock magnet J, the armature 83 of which 'is adapted to engage and prevent movement of the arm 48. Magtrolled by relay G: negative of battery A, wires 59, 60, armature 61 of relay G, upper contact 84 therefor, wires 85, 86, 87, winding of magnet J, and wire 88 to the neutral of battery A. en writin'g current is on the left main line relay'G is energized, its armature engages .contact 84, magnet J is energized and attracts its .armature 83, which will engage arm L18 and prevent movement thereof. If station 2 or station 3 be connected with station 1 its relay G", G" will also be energized and its arms 48", 48" locked against movement.

Telautographic operation of the transmity positive of battery A over which writing f currents pass to the right and left main lines through rheostats 8, 9. In the position in which said armature and contact are shown this circuit may be closed by depression of master switch arm 19. In a selecting operation, however, namely, during the clockwise and counter-clockwise movements of arm 48, the selectin currents traversingthe left and right main lines through relays 136, 157, respectively, will energize relay E which, attracting its armature22, will Aopen this circuit.

A furthe'r Yfunction performed by relays G, G", G", is that of locking their respective master switch arms 19, 19, 19" against depression when such stations are receiving from another. rIfhis is effected by a lock magnet-K, included in the following circuit (Figure 1) which is closed when writing current traverses theleft line and relay G is energized and moves its armature against upper contact 84:` negative of battery A, I

wires 59, 60, armature 61 of relay G, contact 84, wires 85, 89, lock magnet K, wires .90, 91, 5, to the neutral of .battery A. Magnet K, energized by the current traversing this circuit, will' attract its armature 92 which will hook over the rear end of contact arm 19Aand prevent its depressm. If,

therefore, station 1 be connected with the receiver of station 2 lor station 3 the'relaV I G, G" therein will be energized and throug Y tion of master switch arm 19, 19h, as the L case may be.

In addition each Simonis' pymfid'aiy with a Signal lamp L, La, Lb to indicate to the .operator that it is busy receiving from 4an- 'other station.

- the double purpose ,to hang-up, b

, These lamps, withl the circuits therefor, are the same in all stations so that a description `of one (Figure 1),will suiiice. It is included in a circuit closedby armature 92 of magnet K when said armature is moved, as just described, to lock master switch arm 19. This circuit consists of wire 23 from the ositive of battery A., amature 22 of relay I, contact 21 wlres 20, 93, armature 92 of lock magnet contact the neutral of battery A. This circuit is closed by the armature 61 of relay Gr when the latter is energized by writing current' traversing the left) main line and when two stations are connected the two relays there- G", G", as the-case maybe) are energized and this lamp circuit closed so that the operators at both st-ations are usually informed that they are connected. This serves of so notifying the operator at the station for receiving and the operator at the sending stat-ion not to omit inserting tracer 43, for example, in clip `0 as before described, thus disconnect his station from the other and put itin condition for connection with another station for receiving.

Vlhat` is claimed is:

l1`. In a telautographie 4system the combination with a plurality of stations each pro yided with transmitting Iand receiving instruments, and writing line circuits beween theinstruments at the severalstations, of a -like number of groups of/step-by-step electricall -operated co-acting 'switching mechanism or establishing writi g connection between any two stations, manually-controlled circuit-interrupting means at each Vstation controlling the step-by-step o ration ofthe y switching mechamsm thereo` current sup,

plymg circuits at each station independent of the writing .linecircuits for supplying current to,l theinstruments at said station,

and means for 4prei'renting writingl connection of' one stationl with another while the latter is in writing connection with a third station. ,l j ."f m v 2.'In a telau'tographic system the combiA .V nation vwith a plurality of stations each pro.- vided with transmitting andreceiving in' s truments, and writing line,

the instruments at the several' stations,

circuits between o a like' number of groups of steplby-step elecwi-re 96, lamp L and wires 97, 91, 5to.

trically-operated co-actin switching mechanisms for establishing writing connection between any two stat-ions, manually-controlled station-selecting meansat each station con. trolling the step-by-step operation of thevvand meansset into operation by movement of said station-selecting means for preventing writing .connection of one statlon with another while the latter is in writing connection with a third station.

3. In a telautographic system the combination with a plurality of stations each provided with transmitting and receiving in: struments, and writing line circuits between the instruments 'at the several stations, of a like number of groups of step-by-step electrically-operated co-acting swltching mechanisms for establishing writing connection between any two stations, manually-controlled circuitsinterrupting means at each station controlling the step-by-step operation. of the switching mechanism thereof, current supplying circuits at each station independentof the writi line circuits for supplying current to the instruments at said station, means for preventing' writing connection of one station with another while the latter is in writing connection with a third station, and afbusy signal device at each station set into operation when such writing connection thereof is so prevented.

4. In a telautographic system the combination with a plurality of stations each rovided with transmitting and receiving lnstruments, and writing line circuits between the instruments at the several stations, of a like number of groups of step-by-step electrically-o rated co-acting switching mechanisms or establishing writing connection between any two stations, manuallycontrolled circu'it-interrupti'n means at each station controllin the stepay-step operation of the switc ing mechanism thereof, current supplying circuits at each station independent of the writing line circuits for supplying current to the instruments at said station, lmeans for preventing writin confnection of one station with another while the latter is in writing connection with a third station,and a busy signal device at each station controlled by the master switch thereof and set into operationv whensuch writing connection thereof is so prevented.

5. 'In a telautographic system the fcombination with a plurality of stations each provided with transmittin and receiving in struments, and writing ine circuits between the instruments at the several stations, of a like number ofr groups of step-by-sftep electrically-operated coacting switching mecha- .nisms for establishing writing connection 6. In a telautographic system the combina*` tion with a plurality of stations each provided with transmitting and receiving instruments, and' writing line circuits between the instruments at the several Istations, of a like number of 4groups of step-by-step electrically-operated co-acting switching mechanisms for establishing writing connection between any two stations, manually-controlled circuit-interrupting meansV at each station controlling the step-bystep operation of the. switching mechanisni thereof, current supplying circuits at each station independent of the writing line circuits for supplying cuirentto the instruments at said station, means at each station for clearing the line therefrom tothe sation with which it has been in writing connection, and means at each station prevent4 ing such claring while it is iii'writing connection with another station.

Y7. In a telautographic system the combina- "tion` with al plurality of stations each pro- Aplying 'circuits at each station vided. with transmitting and receiving instruments, and writing line circuits 'between the instruments at the several stations, of a like number of groups of step-by step electrically-operated co-acting switching mechanisms for establishing writing connection between any two stations, manually-controlled circuit-interrupting means at each stationv controlling the step-by-stepoperation of the switching mechanism thereof, current supindependent of the Lwriting line circuits for supplying current to the instruments at said station, and means at each-station operable by the transmitter tracer thereof for clearin the line therefrom to the'station with' which it has been in writing connection.

8. In a telautographic system the combination with a plurality of stations each provided with transmitting and receiving instruments, and writing line circuitsbetween the instruments at Athe several stations, of a like number of groups of step-by-step electrically-operated co-,acting switching mechanisnis for establishing writing connection between any two stations, maniially-controlled circuit-iiiterrupting.means at 'each station controlling the step-bystep operation of the switching mechanism thereof, current supplying circuits at each station independent of the vwritingyline circuits for supplying current to the instruments atsaid station, means at each station 'operable by the transmitter tracer thereof for clearing the line therefrom to the station with which it has been in writing connection, and means at each station preventing such clearing while it is in writing connection with another. station.

9. In a telautograph system the combina'- tion with a plurality of stations each provided with transmitting and receiving rin,-

struments, and writing line circuits between the instruments at the several stations, of a like number' of groups of. step-bystep electrically co-acting switch mechanisms for establishing writing connection between stations, manually controlled circuit-interrupting means at each station controlling the step-by-step operation of the Yswitching mechanism thereof, current supplying circuits at each station independent of the writing line circuits for supplying current to the instruments at said station, and means operated by currents other than the telautograph writing currents for preventing connection of one station with another while the latter is in writingconnection with a third station. v

1Q. In a telautograph system the combinaplurality of stations each protion with a vided with transmitting and receiving instruments, and writing line circuits between the instruments at theseveral ,st-ations, of a like number of groups of step-by-step electrically co-actingi switch mechanisms for establishing writing connection between stations, manually controlled circuit-intcrrupting means at each station controlling the steplby-step operation of the switching mechanism thereof, current supplying circuits at each station independent of the writing line circuits foi-,supplying current to the instruments at` said station, and means for preventing the admission of telautograph Vwriting currents to the line wire-s during the operation of the station sejecting means.

l1. InA a telautograph system the combination with a plurality of stations each provided with transmitting and receiving instruments, and writing line circuits between the instruments at the several stations,

of a like number of groups of step-by-step i.

mechanism thereof, current supplying circuits at each station independent of the writing'line circuits for supplying current to the'instruments at said station, and means w v i for preventing the operation of said selecting means at the stations in writing connec- 1 Y tion whilethey are so connected. t

12. In la telautograph system the combi-4 nation with a plurality of stations each provlded withtransmitting and receiving instruments, and writing line circuits between the instruments at the several stations, of a like number of groups of step-by-step electrically co-acting switch mechanisms for es# tabhslnng wr1t'mg connection between sta.- tions, manually controlled c1rcu1t-1nterruptingmeans at each station controlling the i nation with a plurality of stations each pro-` fio ' struments,

vided with transmitting and receiving in-` and writing line circuits between the instrumentsat the several stations, of a like number of groups of step-by-step elec trically co-a'cting switch mechanisms'for es- 1 statablishing writing connection between tions, manually controlled circuit-interrupt` ing means at each station controlling the step-by-step operation of the switching mechanism thereof, current supplyingcircuits at each station Iindependent of the writing line circuits for supplying current to the instruments at said station, and means at each station controlled by the stationselecting means thereofv for clearin the lines from a distant station connecte with said selecting means prior to the operation of said selecting means. y

14. In a telautograph system the combination with a plurality of stations each provided with transmitting and receiving instruments, and writing line circuits between the instruments at the several stations, of a v like number of groups of step-by-step electrically co-acting switch mechanismsy forestablishing writing connection between stations, manually controlled circuit-interrupting means at each station. controlling the step-by-step operation of the switching mechanism thereof, current supplying circuits at each station independent of the writing line circuits for supplying current to the instruments at said station, and means at each station for clearingthe lines from connection 4with other stations, said means being renderedl ineffective by the action voi the telautograph writing currents.

15. In a telautograph system the combination with a pluralit of stations eachl provided with transmittlng and receiving instruments, and writing line circuits between the instruments at the several stations, of a like number of groups trically co-acting switch mechanisms for establishing writing connection between sta.-` tions, manually controlledcircuit-interrupt-A ofrstep-by-step elecmain line wires connecting each ing means at each station controlling the step-by-step operation of the switching mechanism thereof, current supplying circuits at each station independent of the writin line circuits for supplying current to the instruments at said station, and means for preventing a writing connection of a telautogra h transmitter Awith. the line wires during operation of the selecting switch mechanism` at the station at which said transmitter is located and during the receipt of a .message at said stat-ion.

16. In a telautograph systeml the combination with a. plurality of stations each provided with transmitting and receiving instruments, and writing line circuits between t-he instruments at the like number of groups of step-by-step electrically co-acting switch mechanisms for establishing writing connection between stations, manually contrplled circuit-interrupt ing means at each station controlling the step-bystep .operation of the switching mechanism thereo, current supplying circuits at each station independent of the writing line circuits for supplying current to the instruments at said station, means for preventing the. operation of the station selecting means while the telautograph writing currents are traversing the line wires, land a' signal for indicating that the telautograph instruments are 1n writing connection. i

17. In a telautographisystem the combination with a transmitter and receiver and means for connecting them for writing, of a transmitter tracer clip and electrical connections controlled thereby for clearing the lines between the transmitter and receiver after a writing operation.

18. In atelautographic systemthe combi nation with a plurality of stations each provided with a -transmitter and a receiver, of a like number of groups of electrically-operated co-acting switching mechanisms, main line wires connecting each station with its oup of switching mechanism and adapted through the latter and the other switching mechanisms to connect it with the main lines of other stations, manually-controlled station-selecting means at each station, and means controlled thereby for causing currents of reverse polarity to the writing currents to traverse one of the main lines therefrom and through such` currents effecting the operation of' the switching mechanism thereof. V

19. In a telautographic system the combination with a plurality of stationspeach provided with a transmitter and a receiver, of a like number of groups 'of electrically-operated co-'acting switching mechanisms, station with switching mechanism and its group of the latter and the other adapted through several stations, of a f switching mechanism to Aconnect it with the main lines of other stations, manuallycontrolled 'station-selecting means aty each station, means controlled thereby for cans# ing currents of reverse polarity to the writing currents to traverse one of the main lines'therefrom and throu h such currents eecting the operation o mechanism thereof, and means controlle by said station-selecting means for causin such reverse currents to traverse another o the main lines and through such currents eecting the return toi normal position of the switchin mechanism so operated.

20. ln a te autographic system the combination with a plurality of stations each pro vided with atransmitter and a receiver, of a like number of groups of electrically-operated cofacting .switching mechanisms, main line wires connecting each station with its group' of switching mechanism and adapted through the latter and theother switching mechanisms to connect it with the mainlines of other tations, manuall controlled station-selecting means at eac station, means controlled thereby tor causing Xcurrent'svof reverse polarity to the writing currents to traverse one of the main lines therefrom and throu h such currents eiiecting the operation o `the switching mechanism thereof, and means operable by the transmitter tracer of said station for causing such reverse currents -to traverse another'ot the main lines and through such currents effecting the return to normal position of the switching mechanism so operated.

21.' ln a telautographic system the combination with a plurality of stations each provided with a transmitter and a receiver, of a like number of groups of electrically-operated (1o-acting switching mechanisms, main linewires connecting each, station with its group of switching mechanism and adapted through the latter and the other switching mechanisms to connect it with the main, lines of other stations, manually-controlled station-selecting means at each station forv causingpicurrents of reverse polarity to the writin currents toftraversdone of the main lines t erefrom and through such currents eecting the operation of the switching mechanlsm thereof, and meansfor prevent'- ing writing connection of one station with another while the latter is in writing connection with a third station.

22. ln atelautographic system the combination with a plurality of stations each Vprnvided with a transmitter and a receiver, ot a like number of groupsof electrically-operated cofacting switching mechanisms, main line wires connecting each station with its group of switching mechanism and i adapted throu h" the latter and the other switching mec anisms tol connect it with the main lines of other stations, manuallythe switchingl .erse another of`the main lines and through such currents effecting the return to normal position of the switching mechanism so operated.

23. In a telautographic system the combination with a plurality of stations each provided with a transmitter and a receiver, of a like number of groups of electrically-operated co acting switching mechanisms,

main line Wires connecting each station withA its group of swltching mechamsm and adapted throughthe latter and the other switching'mechanisms to connect it with the main lines of other stations, manually-com vtrolled station-selecting means at -each station for causing currents of reverse polarity to the writing currents to traverse one of the main lines therefrom and through such currents effecting the operation of the switching mechanism thereof, and means operable by the transmitter tracer of said station for causing such reverse currents to traverse another of the main lines and through such. currents eecting the return to normal position` of the switching-.mechanism so operated; i v

24. ln a telautographic system the combination with a plurality of stations each provided with a transmitter and a receiver, of a like number of roups of electrically-operatedI co-acting switching mechanisms including step-by-step devices, main line wires connecting each station with its group loi switching mechanism and adapted through the step-by-step device thereof and the other switching' mechanisms to connect it with the main linesl of other stations, and manually-controlled station-selecting means at each station for causing currents of reverse polarity to thevwritin currents to traverse one of the main lines t erefrom and through such currents effecting the operation of the,

step-by-step device of the switching mechanism thereof.

25. In a telautographic system the combination with a plurality of stations each :hav

polarity to the writin currents td traverseA one of the main lines t erefrom and through such currents effecting the operation ofthe step-by-step device of the switchin mechanism thereof, and means controlle 4 by said 4station-selecting means for causing such reverseV currents to traverse another of the.

main lines and through such currents efvided with a transmitter and a receiver, of a like number of groups of electrically-oper` ated co-acting A ,switching mechanismsy including step-by-step devices,l main line wires .connecting each station with its group of switching mechanism and adapted through the step-by-ste device thereof'and the other switching vmec anisms to connect it with the main lines of other stations, manuallycontrolled station-selecting `means at each station for causing currents of reverse polarit to the writing currents to traverse one of the main lines therefrom and through such currents effecting the operation of the step-by-step device of the switching mechanism thereof, and means operable by the transmitter tracer of said station for causing such reverse currents to traverse another of the main lines and through such currents effecting the return to normal position of the switching mechanism so operated.

f27. In a telautographic system the combination with a plurality of stationseach provided with a transmitter and a receiver, of a ,like number of groups of electrically-operated co-acting switching mechanisms including step-by-step devices, main line wires connecting each station with its group of switching mechanism and adapted through the step-by-step device thereof and the other switching mechanisms to connect it with the lmain lines of other stations, manually controlled station-selecting means at each station for causing curreiits of reverse polarity to the writing currents to traverse one of the main lines therefrom and through such currents effecting the operation of the stepby step device of the switching mechanism thereof, and lmeans for preventing writing connection of one station withanother while the latter is in writing connection withI a third station.

28. In a telautographic system the combination with a plurality of stations each provided with a transmitter and a receiver, of a like number of groups of electrically-operated* co-acting switching mechanisms 1n.

c ludingwstep-'by-step devices, main line wires connecting each station withjits group of swltching mechanism and' adapted through the step-by-step device thereof and the other switching mechanisms to connect it with the mam lines of other stations, manually-controlled station-selecting means at each station for causing currents of reverse polarity to the writing currents to traverse one of the main lines therefrom and through such currents effecting the operation of the step-bystep device of the switching mechanism thereof, means controlled by said stationselecting means for causing such reverse currents to traverse .another of the* main lin'es and through such currents'effecting the return to normal .position of the switching mechanism so operated, and means for preventing writin connection of one station wit another i iile the latter is in writing connection with a third station.

j 29. lIn a telautographic system the vcombination `with a plurality of stations leach provided with a transmitter and a receiver, of a like number of groups of electricallyoperated co-acting switching mechanisms in-` cluding step-by-step devices, main line wires connecting each station with its group of switching mechanism and adapted through the step-by-step device thereof and the other switching mechanisms to connect it with the main lines of other stations, manually-controlled station-selecting means at each station for causing currents of reverse polarity to the writingy currents to traverse one of the main lines therefrom and through such currents effecting the operation of the step-bystep device of the switching mechanism thereof, means operable by the transmitter tracer of vsaid station for causing suchre-L verse currents to traverse another ofthe mai lines and through such currents effecting the return to normal position of the switching mechanism so operated, and means for preventing writing connection of one station with another while the latter is in writing connection with a third station.

30. In a telautographic system the combination with a plurality of stations each provided with a -transmitter and a receiver, of alike number of groups of electricallyoperated co-acting swltching mechanisms including step-by-step devices, main line wires connecting each station with its group of switching mechanism and adapted through the step-by-step device thereof and the other switching mechanisms to connect it with the `main lines of other stations, manually-conand preventing writing` connection of one station with another while the. latter is in writing connection with a third station.

31. In a telautographic system the combination with a plurality 0f Statienswh pro' larity to the writing currents to traverse one of the main lines therefrom and through such currents effecting the operation of the step-by-step device ofthe switching mechanism thereof, means controlled by said station-selecting means for causing such reverse currents `to traverse another of the main lines and through such currents effecting the return to normal position of the switching mechanism so operated, and means for restoring the step-by-step device thereof to normal position and preventing writ-ing connection of one station with another while the latter is in Writing connection withv a third station. o

32. In a telautographic system the combination with a plurality of stations each provided with a transmitter and a receiver, of a like number of groups of electrically-operated co-acting switching mechanisms including step-by-step devices, main line wires connecting each station with its group of switchin mechanism and adapted through the stepy-step device thereof and the other switching mechanisms to connect it with'the main lines of other stations, manually-controlled station-selecting means at each station for causing currents of reverse polarity to the writing currents to traverse one of the main lines therefrom. and through suchcurrents effecting the operation of the step-bystep -device of the switching mechanism thereof, 4means operable by the transmitter tracer of said station for causing such reverse currents to traverse another of the main lines and through such currents effecting the return 4to normal position of the switching mechanism so operated, and means for restoring the step.- step device thereof to normal position anfly'preventng writlng connection of one station with another while the latter is in writing connection with a third station. 33. In a telautographic system the comblnation with a plurality of stations each provided with a transmitter and a receiver, of a vthe stepnecting each station with its group of A switching mechanism and adapted through the step-by-step device thereof-and the other switching mechanisms to connect it with the main lines of other stations, and manually- 'controlled station-selecting means at each station for causing currents of reversepolarity to the writing currents to traverse rst one and then another main line' therefrom and through such currents effecting the switching mechanism thereof.

34. In a telautographic system the combination with a plurality of stations each provided with a transmitter and a receiver, of a like number of groups of electrically-operated co-acting switching mechanisms including step-by-step devices, main line wires connectin each station with its group of switchm mechanism and adapted through the stepy-step device thereof and the other switching mechanisms to connect it with the main lines of other stations, manually-controlled,station-selecting means at each station for causing currents of reverse polarity to the writing currents to traverse first one and then another line therefrom, each group of switching mechanism including a relay connected with one main line for effecting the operationl of the step-by-step device of said group and another relay for restoring said device to normal position, and means at each station for controlling said last namedy relay.

35. In a telautographic system the .combination lwith a plurality of stations each provided with a transmitter and a receiver, of a like number of groups of electrically-operated co-acting switching mechanisms including step-by-step devices, mainline wires connectin each station with its group of switchln mechanism and adapted through switching mechanisms to connect it with the main lines of other stations, manually-controlled station-selecting means at each station for causing currents of reverse olarity to the Writing currents to traverse rst onc and then another line therefrom, each group of switching mechanism including a relay connected with one main line for effecting the operation of the step-by-step device of said roup and another relay for restoring said evice to normal position, and means at each station, operable by the transmitter tracer thereof, for -controlling said last named relay.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set m hand.

y GEORGE s. TIFFANY.

y-step device thereof and the other `ins 70 operation of the step-by-step device of the 

